News
Nordic Ambassadors in Makueni to learn about the County’s devolution success stories
Governor Kivutha Kibwana and his deputy Adelina Mwau on Tuesday hosted ambassadors from Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway who are in Makueni to learn about the county’s devolution success stories.
Finland Ambassador to Kenya Erik Lundberg cited that the county’s outstanding performance in devolution under the leadership of governor Kibwana was the driving force behind the visit.
He said: “We wanted to visit Makueni for many reasons but primarily we are impressed by the good work you have been doing in many areas.”
Mr. Lundberg further said that they had come to learn the success stories that Makueni has to share with the rest of the county adding that it was an opportunity for both parties to share experiences and learn from each other.
Mette Knudsen, his Danish counterpart applauded the county’s model of public participation, that starts from the villages up to the county level, saying that it was worth their support.
“We think Makueni county is a place where the leadership wants to make some change for their people and they have a very positive way of engaging the population and that is worth supporting,” Knudsen said.
Knudsen was also impressed by the new Mother and Child facility that was launched last week by the county government saying that it was a milestone worth emulation by the other counties.
Although devolution had its own challenges, Governor Kibwana said they were faithful to article 1 of the 2010 constitution adding that it is an important strength when development is owned and driven by the people.
NO MORE DARK NIGHTS IN KITONGU MARKET!
Business owners and patrons of Kitongu Market in Kako/Waia Ward now have a reason to smile after the Department of Energy installed a 20-meter-high mast solar floodlight in the market. Thanks to this initiative, businesses and customers will no longer have to worry about dark nights or security threats after sunset.
In the 2024/2025 Financial Year, the department successfully installed 45 integrated solar market lights across 9 Wards: Thange, Masongaleni, Mtito Andei, Kee, Ilima, Kisau/Kiteta, Kako/Waia, Kathonzweni, and Kitise/Kithuki.
Additionally, 17 grid-powered market floodlights were installed across 7 Wards—Kithungo/Kitundu, Tulimani, Nguumo, Kikumbulyu North, Kitise/Kithuki, Mbitini, and Ukia—further enhancing visibility and security in local markets.
NLC MOVES TO RESOLVE MAKUENI -TAVETA BOUNDARY ROW.
The National Land Commission (NLC) on Friday carried out a site inspection and public engagement forum at Mtito Andei town in Makueni County in a bid to resolve the Makueni -Taita Taveta boundary dispute.
NLC chairperson Mr. Gershom Otachi and a team of surveyors walked the residents of both counties through the exercise which involved identifying key areas of contention between the two parties.
The commission is expected to prepare and present a report of its findings and recommendations about the stalemate to the High Court of Kenya, which recently received and analysed materials and heard both written and oral submissions in the stalemate.
The bone of contention remains the town of Mtito Andei which Taita Taveta County claims to be part of her territory.
The residents of this town have on different occasions expressed their disdain towards these claims as they receive all their socio-economic and adminstrative services from Makueni County Government.
The team from NLC have upto end of July 2024 to present their recommendations to the court.
‘Ni Wakati wa Kazi’, Governor, Deputy Governor tell Administrators
Governor H.E Mutula Kilonzo Jr has warned the County Administration against continued politicking, calling them to go back to work to deliver quality services to Wananchi.
Speaking during a familiarization meeting with sub-county, ward and sub-ward administrators in Wote on Tuesday, Kilonzo Jr said he was not interested in knowing who supported or opposed his gubernatorial bid but rather focused on delivering his vision to the people of Makueni.
Further, the governor committed to re-engineer public service in Makueni to make it more efficient and effective by cutting down unnecessary bureaucracy which has slowed down the delivery of government services.
Deputy Governor H.E Lucy Mulili who also addressed the administrators challenged them to work with all elected leaders and the National Government Administration Officers to create synergy in service delivery.
Mulili reiterated on the need to build a cohesive administration that integrates all positive thoughts into deliverables. She said her wish is to oversee a government that implements projects to full completion so that residents can realise value for their money.
NGUUMO RESIDENTS ENDORSE KYANDULU-NDOVOINI WATER PROJECT.
Residents of Nguumo Ward have unanimously endorsed implementation of Kyandulu-Itangini-Kibarani-Ndovoini water project, funded under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.
The project is among 13 across the county identified by wananchi through a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment for climate change resilience building.
In a public participation forum held at Kiundwani Chief’s camp, the residents denounced suggestions by some local leaders to distribute water from Kyandulu borehole in one subward, saying it would disadvantage their neighbours.
The Sh 10M project is set to distribute water to more than 6,000 residents in the Last Mile Water Connectivity progamme, geared towards bridging the 30,000 cubic meters water supply gap per day in the county.
NEWLY GRADED MALILI-ST. CLARE ROAD TRANSFORMS KIIMA-KIU KALANZONI WARD
Residents of Kiima-Kiu/Kalanzoni Ward have a reason to smile after the Department of Transport in Makueni completed grading and murraming of a 6-kilometer road stretching from Malili (near Lake Oil) to St. Clare Girls Secondary School.
The road connects the interior of the Ward to the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, significantly improving connectivity and transportation in the area.
Chief Officer Naomi Nthambi says the improved access is expected to ease the cost of doing business, enhance agricultural productivity as well as improve access to essential services such as education and healthcare.
NEW TOURISM GEM UNVEILED AT MBUI NZAU HILL AS HUNDREDS HIKE TO CELEBRATE
In a push to spotlight local tourism and ecological conservation, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Saturday presided over the launch of a new Ecosystem Tourism Center at Mbui Nzau Hill,an iconic natural landmark now poised to become a magnet for both adventurers and nature enthusiasts.
The scenic launch also transformed into a lively celebration as hundreds of residents and visitors took part in a spirited hike to the hill’s summit, soaking in breathtaking views and reaffirming the area’s potential as a tourist haven.
Mulili lauded the Mbui Nzau community for their dedication to conserving the environment, particularly the springs that flow from the hill and continue to be a vital water source for surrounding households.
Adding to the momentum, County Executive for Tourism Dr. Sonia Nzilani emphasized that the two-day event would culminate in a tree-planting initiative,further rooting the event in sustainable tourism and environmental restoration.
NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR 400 PWDs AS THEY GET MODERN WHEELCHAIRS
The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services in partnership with Hope Mobility Kenya has kicked off a 3-day exercise to fit and issue wheelchairs to 400 persons living with disabilities in the county.
The Sh 20M worth of chairs are modified and assembled to fit the specific needs of the beneficiaries in relation to their disability.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday flagged off the exercise at the Makueni Integrated Vocational Education Centre in Wote. He said this is part of his administration’s inclusivity agenda where no one is left behind in the county development agenda, their age, status in society or physical location notwithstanding.
The county government has a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Hope Mobility Kenya which will see more needy residents benefit from mobility assistive devices over the partnership period.
NEW KSH 45 MILLION LEVEL 3 HOSPITAL TO TRANSFORM HEALTHCARE IN NGAAKAA-TWAANDU
Over 8,000 residents of Ngaakaa-Twaandu in Makindu Ward are set to benefit from an upcoming state-of-the-art Level 3 hospital, thanks to a KSh 45 million investment by World Vision Kenya.
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, alongside the World Vision Kenya team, led the groundbreaking ceremony of phase one of the project on Tuesday.
The facility, backed by Mountain Blue Foundation, will feature a mother and child block, a modern maternity wing, a fully equipped laboratory, an administration block, procedure rooms, a pharmacy, and a records office.
Additionally, the project includes the installation of solar energy to power the facility, procurement of essential medical equipment, and implementation of the Kiboko-Twaandu water project to enhance access to clean water.
Beyond healthcare, World Vision Kenya is implementing a water project in Kitise, where 10,000 residents will benefit from the Kwa-Kamaso water project, implemented in partnership with the county government.
To further improve livelihoods, the organization will distribute 250-liter water tanks to local households, supply solar lamps to over 4,000 registered school children in the area, and empower lead farmers through training on Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR).
